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Down tools: Celtic defender Dedryck Boyata.

Rodgers unimpressed by absence of 'fit' Boyata

Celtic were knocked out of the Champions League by AEK last night.

BRENDAN RODGERS WAS unable to explain Dedryck Boyata’s absence from the Celtic team that crashed out of the Champions League on Tuesday.

Celtic lost 3-2 on aggregate to AEK Athens to miss out on a place in the play-off round of UEFA’s lucrative continental club competition.

Rodgers insists Boyata is physically able to feature for the team, but the defender, who made three appearances for Belgium at the World Cup, did not make himself available for the game amid rumours the 27-year-old is seeking a move away from Celtic Park.

“He was fit,” Rodgers said. “We were missing our two best centre halves, unfortunately. My concentration until I get back is only with the players who were here. But yeah, Dedryck would have been fit to play.

“Is that frustrating? Yeah because he’s been with us over the course of our journey for a couple of years.

“We got to this position and were without someone of his quality. Having a World Cup semi-finalist in our team would certainly have helped.

“But he wasn’t here.”

Earlier, Boyata released a video on Instagram showing him receiving treatment, accompanied by a caption saying: “Unfortunately I could not play tomorrow because I’m not yet 100% operational.”

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    Mute Ken Connolly
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    Nov 20th 2014, 11:01 AM

    bet they’re inflatable!

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    Mute An_Beal_Bocht
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    Nov 20th 2014, 1:31 PM

    Wonder what size cigar Jiménez can lift?? Or size burger daly can chomp. It’s this kind of excessive gym work that cost tiger his career injury wise

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    Mute John Ó'Ríordán
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    Nov 20th 2014, 10:37 AM

    Britain’s finest. Fair play to him.

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    Mute Francine Totti
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    Nov 20th 2014, 11:37 AM

    Mong

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    Mute John Ó'Ríordán
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    Nov 20th 2014, 2:04 PM

    Correct he is a mong

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    Mute Simon Brogan
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    Nov 20th 2014, 11:23 AM

    A 285 lb squat? It doesn’t look like an Olympic sized bar.

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    Mute Matt F
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    Nov 20th 2014, 9:54 AM

    I wouldn’t be using that grip on squats but to each their own.

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    Mute Joe Giggs Curran V
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    Nov 20th 2014, 4:18 PM

    Ego plates, what a gimp

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